Chapter 201 A Mother's Blessing

Chapter 201 A Mother's Blessing
By late afternoon, the convoy finally arrived at the Moretti estate.
The massive iron gates opened slowly as the vehicles approached.
Several Moretti guards were already waiting outside. They stood in two straight lines, their weapons secured at their sides.
For a moment, there was uncertainty among them.
These were the same men who had once answered to Viktor. Who had stood inside the estate while Viktor plotted against Roman.
But Viktor was dead now.
The rebellion was over.
And the man stepping out of the first vehicle was the only Don they recognized as their rightful leader.
Don Roman Moretti.
The moment Roman stepped out of the car, every guard lowered his head.
"Don Roman."
The greeting came almost simultaneously.
Don Roman looked at them.
He recognized several of the men.
Some had served the Moretti family long before Viktor's betrayal.
Others had simply followed whoever held command.
Don Roman didn't immediately punish them.
He understood something about loyalty.
Some men were loyal to individuals, others were loyal to whoever sat at the top.
He gave them a brief nod.
"Welcome back, Don."
Don Roman acknowledged them calmly.
The guards remained bowed until he walked past.
Behind him, the rest of his entourage followed.
Aurelia stepped out of another vehicle with her mother.
She paused when she saw the massive Moretti estate again.
So much had happened since the last time she had been here.
She had entered this world as an outsider, now she was carrying Don Roman's child.
Aurelia glanced toward Roman.
He caught her gaze, and held it for a moment.
Then Roman turned toward the house.
"Let's go inside."
They followed.

Nico walked through the familiar corridors with a strange feeling in his chest.
Everything felt different.
He slowly walked toward his old room.
When he opened the door, memories came rushing back.
He stood in the doorway for several seconds.
This had once been his entire world.
He walked inside, and looked around.
How he missed his simple life so much.
But he ruined it all for the taste of the Mafia world.
He had never understood the cost.
Until he had witnessed people dying around him.
Until he had nearly lost his own life.
Until Bianca had been shot.
Nico slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
He lowered his head.
Everything had changed.
He had changed.
He looked around his room one last time.
Perhaps this time, he could make something different of his life.

Downstairs, Bianca sat quietly in the living room.
She looked exhausted.
The physician had instructed her to rest as much as possible, and Roman had no intention of allowing her to overexert herself.
He turned toward several members of the household staff.
"Prepare a room for Bianca."
"Yes, Don."
"I want everything she needs."
"Fresh clothes."
"Medication."
"Anything the physician recommends."
The staff immediately nodded.
"Yes, Don."
Bianca watched him.
"You don't have to do all this."
Roman looked at her.
"Your father asked me to take care of you."
"I intend to keep my promise."
Bianca smiled.
"Thank you."
Don Roman nodded.
Then his eyes moved toward Aurelia.
"Aurelia."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
"Go upstairs."
She frowned slightly.
"Where?"
"The master bedroom."
Aurelia's cheeks warmed.
Don Roman's voice remained calm.
"Wait for me there."
She nodded.
"Okay."
Aurelia turned and followed the stairs.
Don Roman then looked at her mother.
"Ma'am."
She looked at him.
"Can we speak privately?"
Her expression became cautious.
"Of course."
Don Roman led her toward his study.
The heavy wooden door closed behind them.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Don Roman walked toward his desk.
Then turned.
"I want to apologize."
Aurelia's mother looked surprised.
"For what?"
Don Roman took a slow breath.
"For the life Aurelia has been pulled into."
Her expression softened slightly.
Roman continued.
"I know this isn't the life you wanted for your daughter."
Aurelia's mother remained silent.
Don Roman looked down briefly.
"I took her away from her studies."
"I exposed her to things she never should have seen."
"Violence."
"Death."
"Fear."
His voice became quieter.
"I know I cannot undo that."
Aurelia's mother studied him carefully.
"But I love her."
The words came without hesitation.
"And I love the child she's carrying."
Her mother's eyes widened slightly.
Don Roman continued.
"I can't change the past."
"But I can change what happens next."
He walked around the desk.
"After Aurelia gives birth, I want her to return to school."
"And I will make sure she goes to college."
Aurelia's mother stared at him.
"You mean that?"
Don Roman nodded.
"She deserves a future beyond this."
Aurelia's mother slowly sat down.
Don Roman remained standing.
"I know I'm asking for something enormous."
"I know the difference in our ages."
"I know the life I live."
"And I know I'm not the man you would have chosen for your daughter."
Her eyes lowered.
Don Roman's voice became softer.
"But I love Aurelia."
"I intend to protect her."
"And provide everything she needs."
He took a breath.
"That's why I wanted to speak to you before I speak to anyone else."
Aurelia's mother looked up.
Don Roman walked closer.
"I want to marry your daughter."
She froze.
Don Roman continued.
"Not because she's carrying my child."
"Not because it is expected."
"And not because I want to claim her."
"I want her to be my wife because I love her."
Aurelia's mother stared at him in stunned silence.
For years, she had imagined what kind of man her daughter would marry.
She had imagined someone close to Aurelia's age.
Someone with an ordinary profession.
Someone who could give her daughter a peaceful, normal life.
She had never imagined a powerful Mafia Don.
A man considerably older than her daughter.
A man whose world had already placed her child in danger.
Her heart was conflicted.
Part of her wanted to say no.
Part of her wanted to take Aurelia far away from all this.
But she knew her daughter.
She had seen the way Aurelia looked at Roman.
She had seen how frightened Aurelia became whenever she believed something had happened to him.
She had seen her risk everything simply to find him.
And now, she was carrying his child.
Aurelia loved him.
That much was undeniable.
Her mother slowly stood.
"Roman..."
He waited.
"I never wanted this life for my daughter."
"I know."
"And I certainly never imagined she would fall in love with a man like you."
Roman lowered his head.
"I understand."
She looked at him for a long moment.
"But..."
Roman raised his eyes.
"I also know my daughter."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"When Aurelia makes up her mind about something, she is almost impossible to stop."
Roman smiled slightly.
"You're right."
"And I know she loves you."
Roman smiled again.
Aurelia's mother sighed.
"I won't stand in the way."
Roman stared at her.
She stepped closer.
"You have my blessing."
Roman looked genuinely relieved, and reached for her hand respectfully.
"Thank you."
She squeezed his hand.
"Make my daughter happy."
Roman's expression became serious.
"I intend to."